We left Perth with AirAsia on Friday 22nd October at 2pm for our 19th holiday in our beloved Bali. I couldn't fault AA even though the seats are a bit cramped, it is only a short flight. We used VIP on arrival for the first time and was really glad when I saw the huge lines at immigration as a China Airlines jumbo had arrived just before us. We were in and out of the airport in about 15 minutes. The traffic was horrendous though and the taxi from the airport to Breezes Resort in Seminyak took over an hour. Between the airport and JL Pantai we were either at a complete standstill or crawling along.
This was the third time we had stayed at Breezes and this time we were given a pool terrace room near the beach pool. The room was really nice, I love the enormous shower rose and the aircon was great for the whole 14 days stay.
We had arranged to meet friends who were staying at BGH for our first dinner. Our tradition is to go to UN's in Poppies Lane for our first night. We have become good friends of Ngurah, Putu and Sally over the yers and always love seeing them and talking about what is happening in all our lives since our last visit. We were worried about getting to UN's with the traffic so when we booked into the hotel we just threw our luggage in the room and grabbed a cab straight away. Wow our taxi driver thought he was Evil Knevil!!!! He made a third lane for himself going down Sunset Rd and even drove up on the footpath tooting at people to get out of the way. I closed my eyes and hoped we wouldn't finish up in hospital on our first night.
The meal at UN's was lovely as usual and the frozen margaritas are superb, probably the best in Bali.
DAY 2
We caught a taxi to JL Melasti to do some shopping. Bought the usual DVD's and checked out prices in the shops. Went to Matahari to try to buy a present for our friend Ngurah and his family who were celebrating the birth of their baby girl. No luck there so we went to Carrefour where we managed to buy a cute little bed so we were happy about that. We arranged to meet some friends at Lanai for lunch. We were lucky to get a table upstairs and it was the perfect spot for people watching. That night 8 of us went to Bali Pearl for dinner. What can I say about this restaurant that hasn't been said before!!! This was the best meal I have ever eaten in Bali. The whole experience was great from the table settings to the gorgeous French chef who came to chat to us and the food was divine. I could go there just to have dessert. We had several bottles of wine and champers and the total cost was only $120AU per couple. On the way to the restaurant it started raining and our taxi driver put the heater on as he reckoned it was cold - we were in the back sweltering as if we were in a sauna. Glad we didn't have to go a long way!!!
DAY 3
Today we went to Tabanan city markets. I love going there as the bargains are fabulous. Not many tourists go there and the traders don't speak much English but with my smattering of Indonesian and there little bit of English and paper and pen we always manage to buy some good items. I always seem to buy a couple of pairs of shoes for myself, cost is about $5AU pair. I bought some clothes for the grandies and stocked up on gorgeous scarves with diamentes on them for half the price of Kuta. Next to the markets is a little newsagent and we always buy a cold drink from the delightful old couple that run it. Every visit they remember us and we always love having a chat to them.
After shopping we went to visit our friend Ngurah and family at their village. It was exciting to see their new baby and the rest of the family that were visiting. We always tell them not to go to any trouble but the lunch they dish up is always superb. We normally visit the supermarket on the way and bring rice and fruit, etc for them. it is wonderful to have such great friends to visit.
That night we went to Queens Tandor in Seminyak for dinner. We had arranged to meet some friends who had booked a table. Well we arrived and were shown to a table upstairs. After several text messages from our friends wanting to know where we were we discovered that they were sitting at a table downstairs!!! This was the first time we had been here as neither of us really like Indian food but the meal was really lovely.
DAY 4
Today was spent shopping around Legian. I bought some nice tops and dresses from my favourite shop, Darai, in Garlic Lane. They always have such unusal designs and some of their clothes are similar to TS+ except they are not expensive. We had lunch at Blue Skyz and it was good to see Nikki and Alice again. They make really nice pizzas here and the drinks are nice and cold.
Dinner tonight was at Nirvana in JL Laksmana. This restaurant is owned by Nyoman (formerly from UN's) and his Aussie partner, Neil. We have known Nyoman for 17 years and always love to visit and chat with him. He usually sits at our table and eats with us. Nirvana is really good value for prices and the food is always great.
DAY 5
This morning we shopped around our hotel area as the weather was not good. Some of the shops in Dyana Pura are interesting. We bought some clothes for our grandies, a set of 3 wooden ducks that I fell in love with and checked out the shop with all the beautiful Morroccan lamps hanging up. Lunch was at Bestest Cafe which is always good value. We visited Carla Spa and had our feet nibbled on by the fish.
Tonight we went on the Bali Hai Sunset Cruise. Well at 4.30pm when they picked us up it started pouring rain and continued to do so until about 8.30pm so there was no sunset to watch but hey what the heck we had a great night. The buffet food was excellent and the cabaret acts were great. We got up and danced our socks off (or until we got puffed out!!!) and my hubby was dragged up on stage to dance with the beautiful singer. He was quite chuffed about that until we all pointed out to him later that she was actually a he.
DAY 6
Today we did some wandering around Discovery shopping centre, Kuta markets, etc and bought the obligatory singlets, shorts, shoes, etc. Lunch was at Pub Bagus in Poppies 2. What a great spot to watch the world go by and its always amusing to watch George greeting everyone as they come in.
Dinner tonight was at Poppies in Poppies Lane. I always have the crayfish thermidor here and their homemade tomato soup is delicious. Ted likes the pork ribs so we are creatures of habit when we dine here. At least we know that the food will be good.
DAY 7
This morning our friend Malik picked us up to take us to Lovina to the Banjar hot springs. I had a severe allergic reaction to the vitamin B tablets that I started taking to prevent mozzie bites and so was covered in nasty looking spots all over my body. I hoped that the holy water might have a cleansing effect on the spots and beides we hadn't been here for about 10 years so off we went. We went in all 3 pools and they felt really great. Only problem is in one pool all the locals took one look at my spots and got out!!!!
We had lunch at Aditya Hotel in Lovina which was quite nice. I am not huge on buffets but this one was catering for a bus group so it was nice and fresh. On the way home to Seminyak, coming down the mountain from Bedugal was really scarey as it was pouring rain and the water was forming little waterfalls cascading down the side of the road. All thr traffic was going really slow and then we came around a corner and there was a man on a bicycle, holding onto a satelite dish with one arm, pedalling like mad down the mountain. Only in Bali!!!!
We stopped at a plantation and tried the Luwak coffee. It was a bit strong for me but I like the pleasant cherry smell of it. Dinner was at Indo National in Padma St. We always have a bit of fun with Sonny, the DVD seller dressed as an Aussie policeman. Our meal was really nice as usual and the place was packed.
Well I will write some more tomorrow, hope not putting you to sleep at your computer!!!